why vegan? because use of animal products and biproducts is unneccesary, financially draining, environmentally ignorant, and above all, done under the most cruel of circumstances. our economy, our earth, our bodies, and our animals suffer for our selfish desires.
      isn't it hard? no. when you feel strongly about something it is simple to change your ways. it is only difficult in that our world is not set up for a herbavore's diet, and sometimes making the initial transition is a trial. missing certain foods is a lot easier than missing one's sense of ethics and humanity.
      what do you eat? a lot of the same things you eat. chips, sandwiches, 'burgers', cookies, soup, fries, tacos, pasta, veggies, crackers, burritos, cereal, rice, chocolate... and tree hugger foods like tofu, nutritional yeast, soy milk/butter/cheese, okara, and texturized vegtable protein. i mix and match foods just like omnivores so i always have lots of choices.
      what about dietary concerns? i can guarantee you my leafy greens will give me more calcium then your glass of milk. and my tofu gives me more protein (and a lot less fat) then your steak. it is a complete fallicy that a vegan diet lacks any nutrients that an omniverous diet does, if done properly.
     wasn't man meant to be omniverous? uh, no. not only is there biblical text to back this up, but current scientific information that proves our intestines are too long, and our teeth are too dull to be omniverous. and we are the only creature in existance to a)consume milk after infancy and b)take milk from another creature. a mother's milk is made nutritionally balanced for it's child, not for an adult of an entire different species.
      what if i don't care about animals? if that's the only argument you have against veganism, you're about as informed and evolved as a rock. putting aside the fact the myriad of psycological problems such disreguard for life is sure to entail, if one doesn't care about animal life there are other factors to be aware of. there has been drastic and continual destruction of our environment, and landslides in economys around the world due to production of animal products. if that still doesn't hit home, if this were a vegan world food would be very c-h-e-a-p.
      why don't you worry about humans instead of animals? a common misconception about vegans is that they center all their efforts and concern to the animal kingdom. for the vast majority of people, this simply isn't true! (after all a vegan diet could eradicate global human starvation as well as end the killing of animals!) i can't speak for everyone, but i am also active in humanitarian causes, and have the same empathy for humans as i do animals. we're all in this mess together...
      how do you know? i pay attention. i study books, magazines, websites, and newsletters. speak with fellow vegans and vegan organizations. listen for tidbits in the news and on tv.
      where do i start? do a full 180' with your diet. don't try to ween yourself, just do it right the first time. get some information from one of the hundreds of sites out there about veganism. buy yourself a really yummy first vegan meal. know that it may feel hard at first, but you're starting something very worthwhile and redeeming. you'll feel a lot better about yourself